Traffic signal



D. MORRIS TRAFFIC SIGNAL Oct. 25 1927.

Filed Feb. 5. 1927 g HST! Daniel Morris attoz we Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

untrue STATES DANIEL MORRIS, OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed February My invention relates to a tratlic signal for use at crossings, turning-points in streets, roadways and the like for the general guidance and control of vehicular traffic without obstructing such trathc, and it is an object of the invention to provide a self-righting traiiic signal having a base of the same general size and shape of a paving block, brick, cobble-stone or. the like and which traliic signal will return to an upright position facing in a given direction when struck by a vehicle and rocked or tilted on its base and which will not be damaged by any abuse to which it may be subjected, all as will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure 1 is a perspective illustrating one application of my invention,

Figure 2, an enlarged detail section,

Figure 3, a perspective illustrating the application of my invention at a railway crossing,

Figure 1 a perspective view illustrating the application of the invention at a street intersection, and

Figure 5, an enlarged composite view. Figure 6 is a plan view of the device.

In the drawings reference character 10 indicates a substantially rectangular hollow casing having a removable top 11 held in place by screws or other removable fastening means, such hollow casing being substantially the size of an ordinary paving block but if desired may be made in any shape to suit the conditions for which it is to be used. The top 11 is provided with a circular opening 12 in its central portion such circular opening 12 being preferably inclined from its outer to its inner edge for the reception of a socket member 13. The socket member is provided with a curved inner wall of an elongated shape disposed in a manner corresponding to the dimensions of thetop of the casing 10 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The socket member 13 is also provided with an extension on its underside which is preferably externally threaded for engagement with internal threads on a cylindrical casing or pipe it. Any other means for detachably fastening the two parts together may be employed and such casing 1 1 extends through cap 15 on the bottom of the 5, 1927. Serial No. 166,187.

opening in the cap for adjusting the tension on a spring 20. The upper end of the bolt 18 provided with an aperture in which is disposed one end of the spring 20, the upper end of Which spring is adapted to engage an opening in a bolt 21 projected from the under side of a ball 22 which supports a triangular signal 23. The ball 23 is provided with a slot 2 1 in its upper portion in which the signal 28 is mounted and such ball is slightly elongated with the elongated portion disposed in parallel'relation to the bottom of the V-shaped signal. The cooperating ball and socket joint serve to permit the signal to travel in a substantially vertical plane but permit the ball to be pulled. from its socket at substantially right angles to such plane andwhen released on account of the operation of the spring to be pulled back into normal position.

The casing 14 is suliiciently tight to hold a lubricant and I therefore preferably fill such casing with liquid lubricant which serves not only to lubricate the parts so that they work easily but which excludes Water and rust producing agents and prevents disintegration of the structure as a result of water freezing in the casing. Oil may be poured into the casing 1 1 around the bearing member between the bearing member and its socket. However, in order to facilitate the filling of the casing with oilI provide an orifice 25 and provide a closure plug 26 for such orifice.

In the use of my device a paving block is removed as shown in Figure 1 and the box or casing 10 is inserted in its place. When engaged by an automobile wheel or other device the triangular signal will be depressed sufiiciently to permit such wheel or the like to pass thereover. On account of the particular manner of mounting the signal it may readily be moved to a position substantially parallel with or flat upon the surface of the roadway and will therefore be protected from injury.

In Figure 8 I have illustrated a particu of the roadway and a fourth signal is pref- V erably stationed close to the crossing and in the right side of the roadway. Th small signal at the greatest distance from the crossing is preferably provided as shown in Fig. 5 with the word Stop, the next signal approaching the crossing bearing the straight ahead orto the right or left.

word Look and the third signalbearing the word Listen while the larger signal close to the crossing preferably bears the words Stop run over me carefully. This last mentioned signal is preferably of a size toeXtend up above the bumper to, a point substantially midway of the radiator of an automobile so that a motorist will be required to slow down in passing over the same. The roadway at the opposite side of the track is provided with similar signals and each large signal adjacent the track is preferably provided on its back, so that it may be viewed from the opposite side of the track, with the warning Stop run over me carefully, whereby when 'a motorist or other person approaches the railroad crossing they are given due and timely notice in order to proceed in a cautious manner over the crossing.

In Figures I have illustrated the manner in which my signal may be employed at a road intersection to warn traflic of danger and to indicate certain routes, each signal being capable of indicating edirection, either My signals are preferably all painted in a distinctive manner which will readily attract the eye and may be black and white or any other'combination of colors desirable.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in my devicewithout departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not limit -myself to what isshown in the drawings and described in "the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus fully'described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A traific signal comprising a body in the form of a paving block, an oval shaped socket in the upper portion of said body, an oval bearing member in said socket, a signaling element mounted in said bearing. mem

ber, and means for holding said signaling element in upright position said socket and bearing member permitting the" signal to rock in a vertical plane and causing it to return. to the proper position, substantially as set forth.

.2. A trailic signal comprising abody in the form of a paving block, an elongated 1 socket in the upper portion of said body, an elongated bearing member in said socket, a signaling element mounted in said elongated bearing member, means for holding said signaling element in upright position said elongated socket and bearing member permitting the signal to rock in a vertical plane but preventing the signal from swinging in a horizontal plane, and yieldable means holding said bearing member in said socket but permitting the bearing member to be pulled outof the socket when the signal is forced at an angle to the plane atv which it is normally adapted to swing, substantially as set forth.

i an trailic signal comprising a body, an oval shaped socket in the upper portion of said body, a complementary oval shaped bearing member in said socket, a signaling casing, a complementary bearing member disposed in said socket, yieldable means engaging said bearing member and adjusta-bly connected tosaid casing normally holding the bearing member in the socket and permitting the same to be withdrawn therefrom, and a signal mounted on the upper portion of the bearing member and adapted to be held in upright position but adapted to be tipped over to permit an object to pass thereover, substantially as set forth.

5. A signal device comprising a base member having an elongated opening therein, a signal element mounted to rest partly within said opening and resiliently held therein, means adapted to permit the signal element to move freely through one vertical plane with but slight displacement from the socket, and means permitting movement in an number of vertical planes by a slightly.

greater displacement from the socket, substantially as set forth.

6. A trafiic signal comprising a body having an oval-shaped socket in the upper portion thereof, a complementary oval-shaped bearing member in said socket, a signaling element mounted in said oval-shaped hearing member, and means for holdingsaid the upper portion of the body over said signaling element in upright position, said oval-shaped socket and bearing membr cooperating to pernnt the slgnal to rock in a vertical plane and to cause it to return to the 'proper position, substantially as set forth.

7. A trailic signal comprising a body, an ova1-shaped socket in the upper portion of said body, a complementary oval-shaped r bearing member in said socket, a signaling element mounted in said bearing member, means for holding said signaling element 111 upright position, said oval-shaped socket and bearmg member permitting the signal to rock in a vertical plane and causing it to return to the proper position, and means for keeping said bearing member constantly lubricated, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Washington, District of Columbia, this fourth day of February, A. D. nineteen hundred and twenty-seven.

DANIEL MORRIS. 

